Under-pressure Manor hospital sees admissions up by 25%

Emergency admissions at Walsall Manor Hospital have rocketed by more than a quarter in the last two years.

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It comes as the under-pressure hospital faces one of its busiest periods ever and is pushed to full capacity, with almost 100 extra patients a week.

The Manor was forced to declare a major incident at the height of its problems, with more staff drafted in by Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust to help with the discharge of patients.

And bosses revealed today there has been a 27 per cent increase in emergency admissions in general during 2014/15 compared to 2012/13.

The Manor would normally expect around 500 patients in a week but this increased to 590 during its busiest period from December 29 to January 4. It meant it had to open extra overflow beds and has not been able to take in patients from other packed hospitals nearby.

Chief executive Richard Kirby said: "It has been one of the busiest Christmas periods I have known since I have been here and I think that has been the same with other trusts.

"I would like to say a thank you to all of the staff and the patients for bearing with us."

Due to the number of people already at the hospital, Walsall Healthcare NHS has been unable to take patients from other trusts - and been forced to ask for help itself.

"Because we are very busy the first thing we have got to do is make sure we can deal with our own work. If we are able to help we will," Mr Kirby said.

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"In the last few weeks we have been asking for help more than we have been receiving."

A new 30-bed ward has opened up to ease the pressure and people are being encouraged to use other services such as their GP practice and Walsall Walk-in Centre. Other steps that have been taken include the recruitment of up to 100 extra nurses.

As a result of the extra strain, the Manor has been struggling to hit the four-hour waiting target. It has also been told to reduce emergency admissions by 3.2 per cent as part of £24m funding plans.